The 2007-2008 school year has been a progressive one for the Washburn School of Business with the recent addition of the Business Technology Center. With a new $30,000 donation by Kaw Valley Bank, the department has more room to move forward in a positive direction.

David L. Sollars, dean of the School of Business, explained that the donation didn’t come as a surprise as the department has been in touch with KVB for a while.

“We have gotten to know the folks at KVB over the years and they have been supportive of our efforts,” said Sollars. “The Washburn Endowment Association has done a great job and we enjoy working with them.”

The large donation will be invested in a variety of ways, the first of these involving the defrayment of expenses associated with the Washburn School of Business Working Paper Series and the Business Research Seminar. The Research Seminar Series allows faculty, outside experts and students a chance to present their preliminary research findings in the field of business and economic research and subject their findings to peer review. The money will also be used to provide a stipend for a School of Business faculty member selected for the Kaw Valley Bank Excellence in Research Award as well as give faculty funding for research.

Sollars believes the donation builds on a quality, accredited program that includes great students, dedicated faculty and staff, wonderful and supportive alumni and friends as well as good support from all around the campus.

“We have accomplished many of the plans we had developed in 2003, when we first developed our strategic plan,” said Sollars. “Each year since then we have looked for new ways to improve our programs and each year we have accomplished objectives.”

During the remaining weeks of the spring semester the School of Business hopes to complete a second round of major planning and goal setting for the next few years. The department plans to then get to work accomplishing those goals.

Possessing what he calls a “bias toward action,” Sollars explained that it is significant in regards to what makes Washburn and the School of Business unique.

“We like to dream, but we really like to get things done. This is true in the School of Business but it’s also evident in most other units and departments on campus,” said Sollars. “Washburn is moving forward. That is the message that we need to get out.”